In L.A.? The average house price is about $500K. The average house price in OC is about $750K.

And if you're buying a cheap house so you can get an expensive car, your priority is AFU. House appreciates (or depreciate less), the car lose half its value the second you drive it off the lot.

Sure you can be financially irresponsible and buy whatever you want. That's why I ended up where I am now, at one time with over $120,000 worth of cars in the garage in a $210,000 house. Very stupid move on my part.

I dunno, I guess I was figuring one could just buy what one can afford - house mortgage ~35% take home salary, car payment ~20% take home salary.